FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                 Connecticut Department of Public Health

Dept. of Public Health Receives Federal Grant to Fight Chronic Disease

Funds will help build healthier communities in Connecticut

Hartford – The Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced it will receive nearly $500,000 in Affordable Care Act funds to support community prevention efforts to reduce chronic disease.

“This grant is another tool that we can use to fight chronic diseases that destroy people’s health and cost taxpayers millions of dollars,” Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman said. “Encouraging our residents to quit smoking and adopt other prevention strategies will help make us a healthier, more productive state and will also improve the state’s fiscal bottom line.”

According to health officials, chronic diseases—such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer —are the leading cause of death in Americans and responsible for 75 percent of health care costs in the United States. Created by the Affordable Care Act, Community Transformation Grants are designed to help states and communities reduce the burden of these diseases by supporting prevention programs proven to have a positive impact on our health.

“A focus on the prevention of chronic disease is the key to controlling health care costs and ensuring the well-being of all our residents,” stated DPH Commissioner Dr. Jewel Mullen. “These funds will assist communities in building the capacity to help residents lead healthier lifestyles, especially among population groups at greatest risk.”

Approximately $103 million was awarded by the federal Department of Health and Human Services to 61 states and communities throughout the U.S. to serve approximately 120 million Americans. Connecticut will receive $493,891.

All 61 grantees will address the following priority areas: 1) tobacco-free living; 2) active living and healthy eating; and 3) evidence-based quality clinical and other preventive services, specifically prevention and control of high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Connecticut will also address the areas of social and emotional wellness, and a healthy and safe physical environment.

Commissioner Mullen thanked the many community organizations that worked with DPH to develop its grant application.

“We believe a strong component of our application is our plan to collaborate with a large number of community partners. The relationships we built developing our application will serve us well as we work to transform Connecticut communities into healthier places to live,” she said.

For more information, go to http://www.cdc.gov/communitytransformation/funds/index.htm

The Connecticut Department of Public Health is the state’s leader in public health policy and advocacy with a mission to protect and promote the health and safety of the people of our state. To contact the Department, please visit its website at www.ct.gov/dph or call (860) 509-7270.

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